2025 Population Scholars

About the Population Scholars Program

The MPC Population Scholars Program is an intensive grant proposal writing program that runs from January 2025 through Fall 2025 NIH and NSF submission deadlines. This annual program trains a cohort of scholars--both from the University of Minnesota and from the broader population studies research community--in grant proposal writing and introduces them to the grants process. Participants have opportunities to network with MPC leadership and their fellow scholars. 

The overarching goal of the MPC Population Scholars Program is to develop and foster a vibrant nationwide community of diverse scholars doing critical population health research.


2025 Scholars

Headshot picture of Mobolaji Ibitoye smiling directly at the camera

Mobolaji Ibitoye

Dr. Ibitoye is an instructor at Rutgers University School of Public Health. Her research focuses on sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention. Her research explores how various structural, social, behavioral, and biological factors interact to affect the sexual and reproductive health of populations globally, employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Her ongoing research, which is focused on the intersection of migration and reproductive health, aims to understand the impact of migration on the sexual and reproductive health of immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa to the US.

Headshot picture of Katerina Marcoulides smiling directly at the camera

Katerina Marcoulides

Dr. Marcoulides is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on the development and application of advanced data mining and modeling approaches, particularly for the analysis of complex longitudinal data. Her research interests also include structural equation modeling, item response theory, and data fusion techniques, especially as they pertain to developmental processes and educational research.

Headshot picture of Michelle Pasco smiling directly at the camera

Michelle Pasco

Dr. Pasco is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. Her research agenda focuses on 1) advancing methods to examine neighborhood environments, 2) how neighborhoods impact adolescent development, and 3) neighborhood and family influences on cultural processes and experiences. She uses several methods including systematic social observations, quantitative and archival data, qualitative narratives, photo elicitation and photovoice to assess neighborhood environments and obtain different aspects of residents’ lives.